KG / The Truth Appreciation Thread

[edwardjkasche]

Hey Celtics Fans,

After all the vitriol thrown at Allen over the past week in regards to his decision (some deserved, some not), I thought it'd be nice to start an appreciation thread for two Celtics who will go down in the annals of Celtics history as two of the greatest Celtics of all-time.

The Truth has been my favorite Celtic of recent years since being selected #10 overall in the 1998 Draft.  He had his growing pains on some good and bad teams, but he's been The Truth for so long now that it's impossible to envision him as anything other than the Captain of this team.  I wear his jersey every week in my rec league and guys wouldn't recognize me without it on.  My wife loves his childlike glee when he hits a big shot and wins the game.  He's simply a Celtic through and through.  #34 is going up in the rafters.

I was excited by the addition of KG in 2007/08, but I was always a bit hesitant to consider him an all-time Celtic until this past season.  Wow!  He has blown my mind over the past twelve months.  He has become my favorite modern Celtic and the epitome of everything that is green and white.  He is the Celtics' organization.  Not only did he carry this team through the playoffs last season, posting one of the best +/- ratings ever in the playoffs, but he re-signed for three years at a discount price, putting his teammates and winning before himself.  I know he's already a multi-millionaire ten times over, but how many athletes would take a 50% pay cut after the year KG had?  His salary just went from $21 million to $11 million, and he's the best player on our team and still one of the top-15 players in the league.  He took less money to allow Ainge room to maneuver to make the team better.  He took less money to continue building something special with his teammates.  He made his decision early in the process and didn't flip-flop like so many modern athletes.  I honestly believe KG would do anything for his teammates and this organization.  I cannot wait to see his number hung in the rafters after he retires.  He's likely to give the best HOF speech in history.  Can't wait.

Now, I appreciate everything Allen did for the team over five seasons, but he has made it impossible to ever cheer for him again.  He'll never be an all-time Celtic, he'll never has his # retired, and he's not likely to ever be invited to any Celtics event in the foreseeable future (possibly a 20-year reunion of the 2008 championship, but nothing else).  That's the true shame in him leaving to go to Miami.  He could have went anywhere else in the league (minus the Fakers), and he would have been given a standing ovation upon each return and he'd forever be considered a great Celtic.  He ruined all that with one decision.  That's the shame and I do believe he'll regret it, regardless of his success with Miami.

Now, onto sharing memories and thoughts regarding KG and The Truth...

[Onslaught]

Big fan of the Truth. With that said, after almost being traded this year just like "He who must not be named" I'm wondering what he'd done if he was a free agent this summer? Probably stay here but you never know.

[GreenFaith1819]

Hey Celtics Fans,

After all the vitriol thrown at Allen over the past week in regards to his decision (some deserved, some not), I thought it'd be nice to start an appreciation thread for two Celtics who will go down in the annals of Celtics history as two of the greatest Celtics of all-time.

The Truth has been my favorite Celtic of recent years since being selected #10 overall in the 1998 Draft.  He had his growing pains on some good and bad teams, but he's been The Truth for so long now that it's impossible to envision him as anything other than the Captain of this team.  I wear his jersey every week in my rec league and guys wouldn't recognize me without it on.  My wife loves his childlike glee when he hits a big shot and wins the game.  He's simply a Celtic through and through.  #34 is going up in the rafters.

I was excited by the addition of KG in 2007/08, but I was always a bit hesitant to consider him an all-time Celtic until this past season.  Wow!  He has blown my mind over the past twelve months.  He has become my favorite modern Celtic and the epitome of everything that is green and white.  He is the Celtics' organization.  Not only did he carry this team through the playoffs last season, posting one of the best +/- ratings ever in the playoffs, but he re-signed for three years at a discount price, putting his teammates and winning before himself.  I know he's already a multi-millionaire ten times over, but how many athletes would take a 50% pay cut after the year KG had?  His salary just went from $21 million to $11 million, and he's the best player on our team and still one of the top-15 players in the league.  He took less money to allow Ainge room to maneuver to make the team better.  He took less money to continue building something special with his teammates.  He made his decision early in the process and didn't flip-flop like so many modern athletes.  I honestly believe KG would do anything for his teammates and this organization.  I cannot wait to see his number hung in the rafters after he retires.  He's likely to give the best HOF speech in history.  Can't wait.

Now, I appreciate everything Allen did for the team over five seasons, but he has made it impossible to ever cheer for him again.  He'll never be an all-time Celtic, he'll never has his # retired, and he's not likely to ever be invited to any Celtics event in the foreseeable future (possibly a 20-year reunion of the 2008 championship, but nothing else).  That's the true shame in him leaving to go to Miami.  He could have went anywhere else in the league (minus the Fakers), and he would have been given a standing ovation upon each return and he'd forever be considered a great Celtic.  He ruined all that with one decision.  That's the shame and I do believe he'll regret it, regardless of his success with Miami.

Now, onto sharing memories and thoughts regarding KG and The Truth...

I love Paul and KG too, but please tell me that Wyc and Co. told you that that is how they are choosing to treat Ray Allen.

You must be in good company.

[Interceptor]

I'm a big fan of KG now. I was indifferent to him initially, but he's wormed his way into this guy's ice-cold heart. KG gets it. Hoping that when he goes, he's the last guy to wear #5 around here.

[edwardjkasche]

...tell me that Wyc and Co. told you that that is how they are choosing to treat Ray Allen.

Um... can you imagine it going down differently?

This is Boston. 

Please refer to the case of Jesus/Judas Johnny Damon.

[GreenFaith1819]

...tell me that Wyc and Co. told you that that is how they are choosing to treat Ray Allen.

Um... can you imagine it going down differently?

This is Boston. 

Please refer to the case of Jesus/Judas Johnny Damon.

I just think that once the smoke clears, Ray Allen will be remembered differently than what you say.

[SHAQATTACK]

KG lives and breaths basketball  same as Russell, Bird , and all the rest of the Celtic greats.  Winning is everything, and everything is winning.  

KG and Pierce with DA and Doc's help have returned the old soul and culture of the great Celtic teams , the way it was when I was a kid.

Three Cheers !!!   FOR REAL BASKETBALL

 

[edwardjkasche]

Quote
...tell me that Wyc and Co. told you that that is how they are choosing to treat Ray Allen.

Um... can you imagine it going down differently?

This is Boston.

Please refer to the case of Jesus/Judas Johnny Damon.

I just think that once the smoke clears, Ray Allen will be remembered differently than what you say.

Possible.  This is basketball, not baseball, and fans may react differently as time passes.  But, I once again refer to Johnny Damon as an example.  The guy was one of the leaders on the 2004 Championship squad, beloved in Boston during his days here, and once he left and went to the Yankees - in much the same way as Allen (he felt disrespected by the Red Sox's offer and role - he was forever hated in Boston.  Damon is still booed to this day.

Who is to say it will be any different for Allen.

But, let's forget Allen.  He's no longer a Celtic.  This is about KG and Pierce.